Heated hanger presser



Nov. Z2, 1966 D. M. wr-:lTzNER 3,287,542

HEATED HANGER PRES SER Filed NOV. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 5 :Tf l. Ig Yi? si orozhecz /`7. Ned2/1er lh dl D. M. WEITZNER HEATED HANGERPRESSER Nov. 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 8, 1965 INVENTORUnited States Patent O 3,287,542 HEATED HANGER PRESSER Dorothea M.Weitzner, 8 E. 62nd St., New York, N.Y. Filed Nov. 8, 1965, Ser. No.506,785 3 Claims. (Cl. 219-244) This invention is a continuation in partof my copending patent application, Ser. No. 306,103, filed Sept. 3,1963, now Patent No. 3,217,137.

Heretofore electric irons carried by travelers have been bulky, heavyappliances which occupied excessive space in luggage. Travelers havefelt a long standing need for an electric iron which would overcome thedisadvantages of prior travel irons. The present invention fulfills thisneed by providing an electrically heated portable electric iron whichcan be used as a garment hanger when not otherwise used, and which can-be put to use :as a garment ironing or pressing device.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide acompact, convenient, lightweight, inexpensive electric iron in the formof a garment hanger.

Other objects 4are to provide an electric iron which is easy and safe touse; which may be energized by internal rechargeable batteries or by anexternal power supply, which can be used to iron flat articles such ashandkerchiefs, towels and the like, or garments such as trousers,skirts, blouses, shirts etc.; and which can be used without resting thearticle being ironed, again-st a supporting surface.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.l

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 ofFIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of a second device ernbodying theinvention.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of an end portion of the device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 3, shown in use.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a third device embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth device embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical central sectional View taken on line 7--7 of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of the electric circuit of the de- `vice of FIGS.6-8.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth device embodying the invention.

, FIG. 9A is a diagram of the electric circuit of the device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth device embodying the invention.

FIG. 1l is an enlarged elevational View partially in section of aportion of the device of FIG. 10, and

FIG. l2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 1l.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first device 20Ahaving a tlat body 22 including a flat, arcuate bow 24. A tapered neck25 extends upwardly from the center `of the upper edge 26 of the bowland terminates 3,287,542 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 ICC in a hook 2'8. Ashort crossbar 30 extends inwardly of the bow from one end 31. A secondshort crossbar 32 extends inwardly of the bow from the other end 33. Thecrossbars are axially aligned. Integral with the second crossbar 32 isacylindrical stationary `shaft 34 which extends axially toward the freeend of crossbar 30. Rotatably mounted on shaft 34 is -a cylindricalhollow roller 36. A bolt 38 engaged in the free end of shaft 34 engagesflange 39 at one end of roller 36 and holds the roller on the shaft. Anelectrical resistance heater coil element 40 is wound around and securedto shaft 34. This element terminates at a plug 42 seated in a recess 44in the end 33 of bow 24. Prongs 45 of the plug are exposed forconnecting an electrical connector 46 thereto. Connector 46 is securedat one end of power supply cord 48. A plug 49 at the other end of thecord can be connected to a suitable power supply source.

The roller, bow and shaft are all made of suitable lightweight, strong,heat resistant electrically insulative, plastic material, of which manytypes are now generally available commercially. The device 20A can beused as a garment hanger with garments draped on the bow 24 and/or thecrossbar assembly defined by cross bar 30, shaft 34 carrying roller 36,and crossbar 32. To use the device as an electric iron for pressing agarment, the hook 28 and neck 25 rcan be grasped for use as a handle andthe roller 36 can be rolled over the garment which will rest on asupporting surface. Tubular parts of garments such as sleeves can beinserted through the space S between adjacent ends of crossbar 30 andthe head of bolt 38, and then axially around roller '36. The electriccord 48 can remain attached to the device to keep it heated while thedevice is in use. When -the shaft and roller are suiciently heated, theelectric Vcord can be removed. The plastic shaft and roller have highretentivity so that ironing of a garment can be performed for severalminutes before the shaft and roller cool off.

FIGS. 3, 3A and 4 show a second device 20B which is generally similar todevice 20A and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In device20B, stationary shaft 34b has short slotted studs 50, 51 at oppositeends which are secured by set screws 52 to interfitted ends of shortcrossbars 30b and 32b. An electrical receptacle 53 is fitted in one endof shaft 34h to which an electric cord can be detachably connected. Stud50 has a threaded bolt 54 which is seated in one end of shaft 34b. Thisstud engages llange 39 of roller 36; see FIG. 3A. A cylindrically curvedguide and pressure plate 55 has a tab 56 secured at its upper edge byrivet 458 to the neck 25b of the hanger body 22b. The bow 24b of thehanger body is at. The -concave side of plate 455 partially surroundsroller 36.

FIG. 4 shows how a flat garment or article G such as a necktie orhandkerchief can be fed through the device .around roller 36 while thedevice is held vertical and moved along supporting surface S. Thearticle will :be guided and smoothed between the edge 59 of plate 55 andthe adjacent roller. The ironing of the article will be completed as itis pressed under the electrically heated roller -on surface S.

The device 20C shown in FIG. 5 is similar to devices 20A and 20B andcorresponding parts are identically numbered. Roller 36C is ratherbarrel shaped and cylinydrically curved pressure plate 55e` is pivotallysecured to the neck 25e of the hanger `body 22C by a screw 60. The platehas a tab 56e formed with a slot 62 through which the screw 60 extends.A coil spring 63 is provided in slot 62 bearing between the screw andybottom of the slot. By this arrangement, thick, bulky garments andarticles having curved contours such as wool socks and caps can beironed between the roller and plate. The plate will pivot and yield sothat -one portion of the plate will always be parallel to some adjacentportion of the roller as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5.

Device 20D shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, is generally similar to devices20A and 20B and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In device20D the cylindrically curved pressure plate is 55d secured t-o thehanger bow 24d 4by `an elongated tab or link 56d engaged by a screw orrivet 58d. In addition the plate has end flanges 66 engaged onstationary shaft 34d. Roller 36 is rotatably mounted on the shaftbetween the flanges 66. Bolt 54d is seated in threaded hole 68 in theengaged end of the shaft. The shaft has an axial bore or cavity 70 inwhich is a plurality of cylindrical batteries 72 arranged in series. Acoil spring 73 is disposed between one end of one battery 72 and theadjacent end of bolt 54d. The positive terminal 74 of end battery 72contacts a leaf spring 75 which is connected to coiled resistance heaterelement 40d. A three position switch 76 is mounted on end 77 of shaft34d. A socket 78 is mounted in recess 79 at end 77 of shaft 34d which issecured in end 33d of the hanger bow 24d.

Device 20D can be hung on support S with the hanger body 22d in avertical plane. A garment or other fabric article G' can be drawn aroundthe rotatable roller 36 between the roller and the concave side of plate55d as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 7. FIG. 8A shows circuit 100ofthe device 20D.

lThe series connected batteries 72 shown in circuit 100 have positiveterminal 74 connected to one terminal 80 in socket 78 and to one end ofheater element 40d. Switch 76 has three operating positions and threexed contacts 81, 82, 83. Fixed contact 81 is connected to the other endof element 40d. Contact 82 is open. Fixed contact 83 is connected tosocket terminal 84. The switch has a movable contact 85 connected to thenegative terminal 86 of the batteries, via conductor 88. In the centerposition of contact 85, the heater element is deenergized since itspower supply is open. In the heating position of switch 76 contacts 81and 85 are closed and the batteries energize the heating element 40d. Inthe recharge position of the switch, contacts 82, 85 are closed and theheater element 40d is deenergized. A charging voltage can then beapplied at terminals 80, 84 of socket 78 for recharging the batteries.The device 20D is usable without an attached electric cord since theheater element will be energized bythe batteries. When the batteries rundown they can be recharged from an external power source. The batteriescan be removed and inserted through threaded hole 68 in the end of shaft34d.

In FIG. 9 is shown another device 20E with two rollers 36e and 36erotatably mounted on stationary shafts 34e, 34e'. The rollers are spacedapart laterally of each other The rollers have studs 50, 51 at oppositeends secured by screws 52 to bifurcated ends 90, 91 of hanger box 24e.The ends of the heater elements 40e and 40e in the re- `spective shaftsare connected to terminals 92, 93 of socket 94 as shown in circuit 100eof FIG. 9A. Socket 94 is disposed in a recess 95 formed in en-d 33e ofbow 24e.

In use of device 20E, a garment or other article G can be drawn `betweenthe rollers lwhich will rotate in opposite directions while the deviceis held by hook 28 and neck 25 as a handle or support. Alternatively thedevice can be rolled along a yilat surface with both rollers rotating inthe same direction. An electric cord can be connected to socket 94 forenergizing both heater elements simultaneously since these elements areconnected in parallel to the socket.

Device 20F shown in FIGS. 10-12 is similar to device 20A. A handle 102is provided instead of hook 28 and a neck 2,5. Handle 102 has arectangular C-shape. The

handle is pivotally mounted on the upper edge of bow 24f. by a pivot pinor rivet 104. Pins 106 biased upwardly by springs 107 are seated inslots 108 in the bow 24f. The handle has openings 110 spaced apart onopposite sides of pivot 104. The pins 106 can be Iretracted by knobs 111against bias in springs 107 so that handle 102 can be turned to a planeperpendicular to the plane of flat body 24j. This provides a comfortablehand grip in use of the device for pressing an article supported on ahorizontal surface. The pins 106 cooperate in holding the handle in theturned position of FIG. 10. The lateral opening 120 in the handlepermits the handle to be used as a hook for hanging the device on ahorizontal closet pole or other supports when the device is used as ahanger to carry a garment.

In all forms of the invention described, the device serves as a garmenthanger which can also be used as an electrically heated garment presser.It is light in weight, compact in size, safe to use, and inexpensive tomanufacture.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrically heated device of the type described, comprising agenerally ilat body having an arcuate lbow defining a support for agarment, a hook centrally located at one edge of said bow to serve as asupport for said body, short crossbars extending inwardly of oppositeends of said bow toward each other in axial alignment, a cylindricalassembly carried by at least one of said crossbars to serve `as anothersupport for another garment, said assembly comprising a rotatably hollowroller, an electrical resistance heater element located inside of saidroller, electrical conductors connected to the heater element forapplying electrical voltage to said element to heat the roller, wherebythe roller can be used as a garment pressing means and -a cylindricallycurved plate secured to said body with a concave side facing said rollerto guide an article between the roller and plate for pressing saidarticle.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1 and a stationary shaft secured tosaid one crossbar, ,a switch at an exposed end of said shaft connectedto said heater element and said conductors for selectively turning onand olf power supplied to said element, batteries in said shaftconnected in circuit with said switch and heater element for energizingthe heater element, and an electrical connector at one end of the bowconnected in circuit wi-th said switch and batteries for applyingexternal power to the batteries to recharge the same.

3. A device as recited in claim 2, further comprising a cylindrically:curved plate secured to said body with a concave side facing saidroller to guide an arti-cle between the roller and plate for pressingsaid article.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,842 5/1923Kelly 219--240 1,596,181 8/1926 Hills 38-100 1,781,158 11/1930 Campbell219-244 2,401,820 6/ 1946 Fairley 219-244 X RICHARD M. WOOD, PrimaryExaminer. ANTHONY BARTIS, Examiner. C, L, ALBRI'ITON, AssistantExaminer.

1. AN ELECTRICALLY HEATED DEVICE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, COMPRISING AGENERALLY FLAT BODY HAVING AN ARCUATE BOW DEFINING A SUPPORT FOR AGARMENT, A HOOK CENTRALLY LOCATED AT ONE EDGE OF SAID BOW TO SERVE AS ASUPPORT FOR SAID BODY, SHORT CROSSBARS EXTENDING INWARDLY OF OPPOSITEENDS OF SAID BOW TOWARD EACH OTHER IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT, A CYLINDRICALASSEMBLY CARRIED BY AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CROSSBARS TO SERVE AS ANOTHERSUPPORT FOR ANOTHER GARMENT, SAID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A ROTATABLY HOLLOWROLLER, AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE HEATER ELEMENT LOCATED INSIDE OF SAIDROLLER, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TO THE HEATER ELEMENT FORAPPLYING ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE TO SAID ELEMENT TO HEAT THE ROLLER, WHEREBYTHE ROLLER CAN BE USED AS A GARMENT PRESSING MEANS AND A CYLINDRICALLYCURVED PLATE SECURED TO SAID BODY WITH A CONCAVE SIDE FACING SAID ROLLERTO GUIDE AN ARTICLE BETWEEN THE ROLLER AND PLATE FOR PRESSING SAIDARTICLE.